Vessel Strike Avoidance Fund
This grant funds research and technology development to help mariners avoid vessel strikes with large whales, focusing on innovative detection and avoidance solutions along the Atlantic Coast.
Funder: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Due Dates: April 15, 2026 (Pre-Proposal) | June 24, 2026 (Full Proposal, by invitation only)
Funding Amounts: Typical awards range from $250,000 to $750,000 for up to 24 months; proposals above or below this range will also be considered.
Summary: Supports development and adoption of innovative technologies to help mariners avoid vessel strikes with large whales, especially the endangered North Atlantic right whale, along the Atlantic Coast.
Key Information: Pre-proposal required; full proposals are by invitation only.
Description
The Vessel Strike Avoidance Fund aims to accelerate the creation, testing, and adoption of innovative tools and engineering solutions to reduce vessel collisions with large whales—particularly the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale—along the Atlantic Coast. This program is a partnership between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with additional support from industry partners. The fund's primary focus is on technology and strategies that enhance real-time whale detection, vessel operator decision-making, and risk reduction, while minimizing operational disruptions for commercial and recreational vessels.
Projects may address direct technology development, testing, or deployment; vessel engineering or design changes; behavioral studies relevant to vessel strike avoidance; machine learning for whale detection in satellite imagery; and innovative whale tagging technologies. A small portion of funding is available for projects in the Gulf of America, including those focused on stakeholder awareness and communication.
